KUALA LUMPUR: Track queen Shereen Samson Vallabouy is seeking fresh funds to continue training in Florida under American coach Derrick White.
On June 1 last year, the Youth and Sports Ministry allocated RM400,000 to cover Shereen's training expenses over 13 months in Florida.
However, she is now in need of additional funding.
The Hangzhou Asian Games bronze medallist believes it would be better to remain in Florida and train under White to continue improving her national records and rankings in the 200m and 400m events, with the goal of qualifying for next year's World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
The 26-year-old's long-term target is to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
She narrowly missed qualifying for the Paris Olympics, falling short by just 0.86 seconds in the 400m event.
Shereen holds the national records for the 200m (23.33s) and 400m (51.79s).
Her mother, Josephine Mary, a former national athlete, said the RM400,000 funding for training in Florida ended on July 31.
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"Shereen has submitted her appeal to the Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) and the National Sports Council (NSC), hoping the funding will continue.
The Youth and Sports Ministry will have to approve it.
"If a new budget is not allocated soon, she might return home or seek funds from other organisations.
"Shereen prefers to train in Florida as she has made progress under the guidance of coach White," said Josephine.